Airbnb Occupancy Rate in Chicago, United States, Data & Trends 2026

Over the analysis period June 2025 to May 2026, Chicago averaged 64% occupancy, roughly four points above the US city average of about 60% in this dataset and the ninth-highest of the 39 cities tracked, equating to 229 booked nights a year. Average daily rate sat at $150 (about 165 euros), well below the national average near 202 euros, which places Chicago in the lower-to-mid tier on price, typical of a deep urban market where ample supply caps ADR while strong year-round demand keeps the property busy.

That balance produced average monthly revenue of $2,702 (about 2,972 euros), so the city earns through volume rather than premium pricing. Revenue was down 6% year over year, in line with the broad softening seen across nearly every US market this period. The 80% seasonality swing is significant: budget for a strong summer peak (best months July and June) and a deep winter trough (weakest February and January) rather than a flat year.

Chicago is a year-round business and leisure destination, and that mix is what keeps short-term-rental demand steady. As the third-largest US city it pulls heavy corporate, convention and trade-show traffic into McCormick Place, the Loop and the Magnificent Mile, while leisure visitors come for the architecture boat tours, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, lakefront beaches and a deep sports calendar (Cubs at Wrigley Field, Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks). United and American hub operations at O'Hare also feed a constant stream of connecting and layover demand.

For hosts this means two distinct guest types to design for: midweek corporate and convention stays that reward proximity to downtown and transit, and weekend leisure groups chasing nightlife, festivals and game days. Listings near CTA 'L' lines, McCormick Place and Wrigleyville tend to convert across both audiences, which helps smooth out the calendar.

Downtown clusters, the Loop and River North, capture the convention and business traveller, sitting on top of the major sights, theatres, the Riverwalk and the bulk of transit, so they hold up best midweek and through winter. River North adds the dining and gallery scene that weekend leisure guests want. These central areas command the highest nightly rates but face the tightest building restrictions.

The legal short-term-rental supply skews north and west into residential neighbourhoods: Lincoln Park and Lakeview/Wrigleyville are family-friendly and ride Cubs game-day demand, while Wicker Park and Bucktown draw younger, repeat visitors who want music, independent shops and a local feel away from the tourist core. These neighbourhoods trade some peak ADR for steadier, lower-friction bookings and far fewer building-level prohibitions than downtown high-rises.